i would say at least 50-60% is open field from pendleton to alden, although its been almost a year since ive been out so i dont remember exactly. NESS, when open, are some of the best trails around WNY i think. I was always impressed going from Shawnee to NESS to Marilla, NESS really maintains well and must keep up on it
Thanks guys. Looks like it’s going to get a lot better Friday into Sat. Probably better off/safer riding where you guys are than the hill on the weekend.
NESS are my favorite trails in the area. I remember talking to a group of guys last year that have said they never have been north of the Kiwk Fill (in 20+ years of riding) because they thought the trails in the north sucked. IMO, the riding there is better than anywhere else that I’ve ridden between Alden and Springville.
Agreed, although I have never been farther south than Byrncliffe. But they seem to hold up better or are at least groomed more frequently than the northern or southern trails. I kow here in Pendleton it is rare to see a groomer out until late night not that the trails are worth riding up here anyways lol
I like NESS trails but my favorite WNY trail is C2 through McCarthy St forest and behind Ellicottville.
@JayS Never been that far down, did you ride there from your drop spot in Clarence?
Yep. People make fun of my “old man” high windshield but we do too many long distance high speed tours to have one of those tiny do nothing windshields. 
I have no windshield at all on my PHazer. Never noticed a difference between that and my SRX.
I just went out for a quick ride to get gas. Went from my house on Cary to Kwik Fill, back up the bowling alley, and back home. The trails were honestly really good. Having the cold to give everything a chance to freeze before people tore it up worked really well. There was no water AT ALL, even in the usual shitty spots between those areas. The corn fields were pretty rough, of course.
I really don’t notice much of a difference between my 6" and my old man shield. I have a nice castle x jacket and I am often sweating while riding. I mean I can definitely feel a bit more drag but as far as warmth I notice no difference. I am a big fan of long rides I typically will get out of work on a Friday around noon and cruise to kodiak jacks or byrncliffe from Pendleton on my own before anyone else is out.
Thinking I might be able to leave from Clarence now. Got a solid 10-12" of snow in Amherst from this storm. Waiting to see what NESS does today.
:tup: might head out from pendleton after work
@JayS NESS is open limited 25mph max all trails as of 30 min ago according to their facebook page
Yep, just saw that on FB. I’ll probably do a short ride around NESS trails tonight after work.
25mph max??!?
I’m sure it’s just until they figure out if there are trees across the trails or other hazards. The entire trail system state wide is 55mph max, not that anyone really follows that either. 
Early season with the wind storm we had just a little bit ago you’ve really got to take it easy. If you’re going 70+ by the time you notice the tree across the trail you’re never going to be able to stop in time.
@JayS talking about high speed trail rides. 
I’ll agree that NESS trails are great. Always loved riding those trails when heading to the log cabin. Would always loop to the south through Clarence and akron instead of taking the swamps. Haven’t made that ride in years though. The last few years that I trail rode I had to trailer to the Southern Tier or ADK for anything decent. Pendleton is a joke for good conditions.
@95dime Pendleton enables me to ride out my back door to anywhere I want, so no complaints lol I am on them for <15 min going out and coming home.
I did a consistent loop to the log cabin that I loved. Either out through the swamps and back through clarence or out through clarence and back through swamps, about a 60-70 mile loop not bad for a night ride. Usually catch some groomed stuff too.
It seems like I’m more numb to ‘poor’ conditions than most people. Maybe it’s because I’ve never been to the Adks or Quebec, but last night in my mind was very good. As long as I don’t have to dodge 2’ deep water holes every couple hundred yards, I’m happy. Maybe if I had a sled worth more than $4k I’d feel differently, but I can’t comprehend complaining about conditions; just get out there and ride.
@JayS just passed you on sweet home a bit ago I think, unless there is another red gto out there towing a sled trailer lol
Yep, I keep the trailer over at my mom’s so I ran over and got it on lunch.